Groundwater stewardship — protection and conservation

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Groundwater protection

All people by their living habits can protect or harm groundwater — our nation and the world's most abundant freshwater supply. The first step toward protecting groundwater is to become aware of how it can be contaminated. The second step is to do your part to keep from contaminating groundwater.

Forty-four percent of the American population depends on groundwater for its drinking water supply — reason enough to act to protect groundwater. Another reason is that contaminated groundwater can harm the environment, including the ecosystems that depend on groundwater.

Groundwater protection: Take the pledge

As the saying goes, “A journey...begins with a single step.” NGWA wants to help you to take the first step on your journey to protect groundwater. We challenge you to take this pledge:

I pledge to take one or more of the following actions to protect groundwater from contamination.

Properly store hazardous household substances* in secure containers

Mix hazardous household substances over concrete or asphalt where they can be cleaned up or absorbed

Dispose of hazardous household wastes at an appropriate waste disposal facility or drop-off

Do not put hazardous household wastes down the drain or in the toilet

Do not put any wastes down a dry or abandoned well

If I own a septic system, I will service it according to local health department recommendations

If I own a water well, I will get a yearly maintenance check to ensure sanitary seals are intact

Decommission abandoned wells on your property using a qualified water well contractor

Groundwater conservation

There is something every person can do to conserve water. Americans are some of the largest users of water, per capita, in the world. In the United States, Americans use 79.6 billion gallons of groundwater every day — the equivalent of 2,923 12 oz. cans for every man, woman, and child in the nation.

Most surface water bodies such as lakes, rivers, and streams are connected to groundwater. So, whether your water supply comes from groundwater or surface water, conservation matters.

Almost three-quarters of water used inside the home occurs in the bathroom, with 41 percent used for toilet flushing and 33 percent for bathing. The remainder of indoor water use is divided between clothes washing and kitchen use, including dishwashing, according to the U.S. EPA.

Outdoor water use varies greatly across the country. For instance, in California, 44 percent of all household water use is outdoors, while in Pennsylvania only 7 percent is used outdoors.

Understanding where you use water most can provide hints on where the most water can be conserved.

Groundwater conservation: Take the pledge

As the saying goes, “A journey...begins with a single step.” NGWA wants to help you to take the first step on your journey to conserve groundwater. We challenge you to take the following pledge.

I pledge to take the following actions to protect groundwater from contamination.

Never pour water down the drain when there may be another use for it

Repair dripping faucets and toilets; one drop per second wastes 2,700 gallons a year